2017:854 - Mullingar Court House, Mullingar, Westmeath

Archaeological excavation within the footprint of the redevelopment of Mullingar Courthouse, Mount Street, was undertaken in response to planning conditions attached to the proposed development which is within the zone of potential for archaeological remains in the historic town of Mullingar.

Two areas of archaeological potential were identified. Archaeological Area 1, located to the east (rear) of the existing building was identified during a programme of testing in late 2015. The testing identified the presence of at least one large linear ditch and a possible second parallel ditch to the west. Subsequent excavations in 2016 confirmed the presence of one large ditch which has been interpreted as the 17th-century town defences ditch. A number of smaller linear features, possibly drainage features, were identified to the north-west of the main ditch.

Monitoring of service trench excavations in the southern corner of the site in 2016 and 2017 identified a second area of archaeological interest. Archaeological Area 2, located to the south of the courthouse building, comprised two separate cuttings. Cutting 1, which was located to the east of the prison tunnel, centred on a large ditch, a level of post-medieval cobbles and a probable field drain. Cutting 2, located to the west of the prison tunnel, comprised a level of post-medieval cobbles and a culvert. It is suggested that the ditch exposed in Cutting 1 also related to the 17th-century town defences.

A small zooarchaeological assemblage and a small quantity (n=10 fragments) of disarticulated human remains were also recovered, as well as a variety of medieval and post-medieval pottery, clay pipes, and artefacts of glass, iron, flint and leather.

c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow